iPhone News

Apple contacting iTunes users with details on in-app purchase settlement

Apple began sending out emails to some iTunes users this weekend, informing them of how the approximately 23 million people that are a part of the in-app purchases class-action lawsuit can apply for compensation.

The settlement, which will cost Apple in excess of $100 million, stems from a class action lawsuit filed against Apple by parents who complained that it was far too easy for their children to make in-app purchases...

Microsoft to port ‘Age of Empires’ and other games to the iPhone

It appears that Microsoft is really warming up to the idea of launching apps on Apple's mobile platform. Last week, it released Office Mobile for the iPhone, and today comes word that the Redmond company is looking to bring a number of games to the handset as well.

Reuters is reporting this afternoon that Microsoft is planning to port several of its Xbox and Windows games to the iPhone this year. It's apparently contracted Japanese gaming firm KLab Inc. to handle the heavy lifting, and its first title will be Age of Empires...

Messages app gets timestamps, contact photos, and other UI enhancements in iOS 7 beta 2

Earlier today, Apple released the second beta of its next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 7, to developers. The update comes exactly two weeks after the original beta of iOS 7 was released, and brings with it a number of new features and improvements.

Thus far we've covered the revamped Voice Memos app and new Siri voices, and now we're going to talk about the different changes in the stock Messages app. Apple has added contact photos to group conversation threads and a few other UI enhancements...

Siri gets new male and female voices in iOS 7 beta 2

Earlier today, Apple released the second beta of its next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 7, to developers. The update comes exactly two weeks after the original beta of iOS 7 was released, and brings with it a number of new features and improvements.

One of the more prominent changes we've seen has to do with Siri, Apple's snarky digital assistant. Not only has it gotten smarter, but in beta 2 the virtual secretary received new voice templates. You can now choose from a male or female voice in several languages...

Voice Memos app returns in iOS 7 beta 2

A few moments ago, Apple released the second beta of its next-generation mobile operating system, iOS 7, to developers. The first beta, which was released two weeks ago today, featured a number of UI changes and new features. And today's update adds to that.

One of the bigger changes we've noticed in beta 2 is that Apple has re-added the stock Voice Memos app. The utility was missing from the original iOS 7 release, leaving some folks to speculate that Apple was getting rid of it all together. But that's not the case...

iOS 7 beta 2 is out: brings iPad support and other features

Apple has seeded the second beta of iOS 7 to developers this morning. The update comes exactly two weeks after the initial version of the new firmware was released, following the company's annual WWDC keynote.

The change log hasn't been released yet, but the consensus seems to be that this update is likely more about speed and performance improvements than about adding major new features or making significant changes...

If history is any indication, iOS 7 Beta 2 could drop today

It's been two weeks since Apple released the first beta of iOS 7 to its registered developers. A lot has been written about it and way more ink will be spent as subsequent betas get released and thoroughly tested before iOS 7 is eventually ready for prime time this Fall. If history is anything to go by and if you trust reliable sources in the know, today is the day iOS 7 Beta 2 arrives.

If iDB is part of your daily routine, you should be among the first to know when a new beta hits Apple's servers. Also, count on our resident team to take a closer look at the new beta and report back about everything there is to know about  feature changes.

Stay tuned...

Additional iPhone 5S spyshots suggest all-new A7 chip

MacRumors last week shared a genuinely-looking photograph believed to picture the back of the iPhone 5S. Virtually identical to the current iPhone 5, the image did tell us that Apple's upcoming S-upgrade will sport dual-LED flash for better low-light photos, especially coupled with a rumored twelve-megapixel camera. Today, the publication posted a new high-resolution photo suggesting that the upcoming iPhone revision could run a brand new A7 chip rather than a variant of the existing A6 silicon powering Apple's latest-generation iPhone and iPad...

Infinity Blade II is just a buck until end of June

Infinity Blade, an elegiac masterpiece, is still one of the best-looking iPhone and iPad games. So-called system seller, everyone should have this iOS exclusive on their Home screen. If you were mesmerized by how gorgeously smooth Infinity Blade looks (and still shines to this date, courtesy of Unreal engine) but didn't take the plunge due to its high price, don't miss out on this rare discount and pick up Infinity Blade II for just 99 cents, way down from its normal asking price of seven bucks...

Imgur coming to iOS soon, hits Android

When Alan Schaaf’s free image sharing service dubbed Imgur went online on February 23, 2009, it was met with genuinely positive feedback from users who'd been longing for an image hosting service that didn't suck.

Though no one expected the San Francisco-based startup to compete with the likes of Flickr, Instagram or other established photo sharing services, it did start picking up considerable steam after users on Reddit and Digg began sharing viral images on Imgur. In response to its rising popularity, the startup has just issued the official Android client and confirmed that iOS version is coming along soon...

Amazon Instant Video iOS app gets personalized recommendations

Good news for those how prefer to get their entertainment from Amazon instead iTunes. In a newest update to its Instant Video streaming iOS app, the online retail giant has enabled personalized recommendations for movies and television shows based on your past viewing habits, while enhancing the experience with a handy new navigation bar.

Of course, in order to take advantage of the app you'll need to be subscribed to Amazon's Prime, a $79 a year membership which gives you unlimited access to thousands of titles and over 140,000 videos available from the Amazon Instant Video store, with support for Watchlists, offline viewing and more...

Apple reportedly contracts out next-gen mobile chip manufacture to TSMC

After a long period of rumor mongering, it would seem that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest independent semiconductor foundry, is finally stealing Apple chip biz from rival Samsung. If a new report out of Taiwan is to be trusted, Apple has cut a long-term deal with TSMC to produce A-series chips for future iPhones, iPods and iPads built on TSMC's 20-nanometer, 16-nanometer and 10-nanometer process technology.

If true, it's the final nail in the coffin in the strained Apple-Samsung technology relationship. And good riddance, too, because Samsung will no longer be able to have a headstart of Apple's future semiconductor solutions...